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Mental Disorders Treatment
By peace | August 27, 2007
Psychiatrists use a number of treatments for mental disorders. The two main types of treatments are somatic therapy and psychotherapy.
Treatments for Mental Disorders
1. Somatic Therapy
Somatic Therapy usually involves the use of medications. One commonly used group of medications are neuroleptic drugs, sometimes called antipsychotics. These drugs are used mainly to treat psychosis. Antidepressants are a group of drugs used to control abnormalities of mood. Anxiolytics reduce anxiety and are used chiefly to treat conditions characterized by excessive anxiety, including phobias and panic disorder. Lithium carbonate is a drug used to treat bipolar disorder, also called mani-depressive disorder. A person with this disorder experiences alternating periods of sadness and joy.
A type of somatic therapy called electroconvulsive therapy is sometimes used to treat severe depression. In this type of therapy, a mild electric current is passed through the patient’s brain after the patient has been given a drug that causes sleep.
2. Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is any form of treatment by psychological means. There are many types of psychotherapy. Most psychotherapy is based on discussions between the patient and the psychiatrist. The doctor works to build the patient’s confidence and to help the patient develop a more contented outlook toward life. Commonly, the patient and doctor meet for a psychotherapy session once or twice a week for several months. But sessions may occur more frequently or less frequently.
Sometimes groups of three or more patients participate in group therapy. By meeting as a group with the psychiatrist, the patients help each other understand themselves.
When working with a child, the psychiatrist may use play therapy. The child, instead of talking about his or her problems, acts them out with toys and games.
Two widely used forms of psychotherapy are psychoanalysis and behaviour therapy. Psychoanalysis, which may last for a number of years, focuses on unconscious thoughts and feelings. According to psychoanalytic theory, the causes of many mental illnesses lie buried in the unconscious. The patient meets with the psychiatrist and talks about whatever comes to mind. The physician helps the patient understand his or her problems by uncovering the causes.
Behaviour Therapy aims to help patients change their behaviour rather than help them understand why they act the way they do. Psychiatrists use positive and negative reinforcement to encourage patients to act in a healthier way. Using positive reinforcement, the psychiatrist praises or rewards the patient for “Good” behaviour. This technique is considered more effective than negative reinforcement, which includes scolding the patient for “bad” behaviour.
Topics: All Posts, Children, Mental Health, Psychology | No Comments »
